Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~2 1 ~.
APPARATU8 FOR APP~ICATION OF A MAT~RIAL
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus for
applying material, and more particularly to an apparatus
for the application of a liquid material to the external
diameters of cylindrical items of manufacture.
B~ck~round of the Invention
Devices for applying liquid materials to
cylindrical items of manufacture are well known in the
manufacturing industry. The external diameters of
cylindrical items are, for example, coated with paint or
other material in the packaging industry, and with
adhesive material in the automotive parts industry. One
common method of applying adhesive material to parts
manufactured for the automotive industry is spray
coating.
One disadvantage of the spray coating process in
connection with the application of adhesive is that it
is quite inefficient. It is estimated that only 15%-20%
of sprayed coating material adheres to the part surface
being coated. Thus, as much as 80%-85% of the often
expensive coating material being sprayed may be "lost".
An additional disadvantage, is that the adhesives
typically used for automotive parts in spray processes
are often volatile organic based materials. The
atomization of such materials may result in vapors which
should not be released directly into the environment.
Thus, the "lost" material must be reclaimed.
Reclamation of such material typically involves the use
of a water retrieval system. Treatment of the waste
water resulting from the operation of retrieval systems
is also expensive.
'~
2~2~
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U.S. Patent No. 4,296,708, for example, provides an
apparatus for roll coating the external diameters of
cylindrical parts with adhesive material using fiber
felt rolls. Such devices require the cylindrical part
to be moved between drive and idler rolls and are not
capable of applying in a precise and repeatable manner
specific coating thic~esces.
~ummarY of th- Tnv-ntion
The present invention provides a new and improved
apparatus for application of a liquid material to the
external diameters of cylindrical items of manufacture.
The apparatus is preferably designed to apply material
to an increased number of cylindrical items, and to
apply the material in precise and desired amounts. The
precision application provided by the present invention
also increases the repeatability of material application
to the external diameter of the items.
An apparatus according to the present invention
includes a part supply system, a frame supporting a
transport system, an application system, ~ curing system
for curing the material applied to the cylindrical
items, a take-away system for removing the completed
cylindrical items and a con~ oller ~or COIl~ olling
position and movement of the cylindrical items through
the apparatu~ at desired locations and specified speeds.
The tr~ Gl~, coating and drying systems are
enclosed by clear walls and covers to enable viewing of
the apparatus during operation, while maintaining the
safety of the operator against moving part~ and fumes
which may result from application of the material. To
ensure that the operator or others cannot gain access to
the apparatus during operation, a series of door
interlock ~witches are preferably positioned such that
2 1 5 2
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opening of the covers to gain access to the apparatus
halts operation.
The part supply system may include manual or
automatic feed systems. Using a manual system, the
cylindrical items are provided by an operator. Using an
automatic system, such as rotary or vibratory feed
systems, the items are provided automatically in the
desired number and orientation. Additionally the part
supply system includes a loading ~ystem for providing
the cylindrical items to the tral. ~o~ system.
The cylindrical items of manufacture to which
material is applied to the external diameter have at
least one open end. The tranCport system for moving the
items is a continuous pin-type conveyor ~ystem with
multiple pin assembly work stations. The pin assemblies
support the items on their internal surface, and move
them on the conveyor. D~pen~ing on the length of the
cylindrical items, one or more items may be loaded onto
the pin assembly work ctations, thereby increasing the
number of parts moved through the apparatus.
The cylindrical items are loaded onto the pin
assemblies by the loading ~ystem, which also includes a
continuous conveyoL system with multiple v-sh~pe~ blocks
for supporting the items. A single drive mechAnism
operates the conveyors of the part ~upply loading system
and the tra-l~poL~ system. The use of such a single
interronnected drive mechanism ensures synchronized
movement of the cylindrical items within the apparatus.
In the loa~ing ~ystem, the cylindrical items are
biased from their positions on the blocks onto the pin
assemblies by an inclined plate or ~ki positioned along
the length of the lo~ing system, and located at a
selected height, ~epon~ing on the diameter of the
cylindrical items. The 10a~ing sy6tem ic ad~ustable to
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load items of different diameters to the transport
system. In the event a cylindrical item is not fed
properly onto its pin assembly, the loading system is
also provided with a spring biased safety interlock.
The safety interlock ~tops the entire apparatus to
prevent damage to the pin assemblies and any other
moving portions of the apparatus.
After being loaded onto the transport system
conveyor, the items are moved on their respective pin
assemblies to the application system. The application
system includes two coating stations. Each of the
coating stations includes a driving system and a
reservoir system. A single drive me~h~nism is used to
operate both of the coating station driving systems.
Each of the driving systems includes two horizontally
and axially spaced coating rolls which sequentially
engage the external diameter of the cylindrical items as
they move along the transport system.
The timed engagement between the cylindrical items
and the coating rolls at the coating stations effects
the precise application of the coating material to the
items. Thus, to obtain the desired application of
material, the ~peeds of the trA~port system and the
coating rolls of the driving system may be varied as
necessary, using either a manual CU~LO1 or by the
controller. In addition to speed variation, the
direction of the coating rolls may also be varied to
obtain the desired coating of the cylindrical items.
Also, coating rolls havinq different surface
characteristics, such as ~mooth metal, yLGo~ed metal,
polymer or fabric materials, may be used to ensure that
the liguid material is ~ccessfully applied to the
cylindrical items. It is noted that the same liquid
material may be applied by the two coating rolls at the
2~67 1 ~
two coating stations. Alternatively, each station may
apply a different material.
During operation of the application system, the
spaced coating rolls are in contact with a reservoir of
the reservoir system containing the desired coating
material. The contact between the coating rolls and
material reservoir during operation provides continuous
agitation of the liquid material within the reservoir.
The reservoir~ containing the material are readily
removable to enable maintenance of the apparatus, or to
change the liquid material in the reservoir. Use of the
application system of the present invention reduces the
percentage of coating material wasted during the coating
process to 15% or less.
To ensure that the external diameters are provided
with the desired thic~ness of coating material, the
reservoir system includes an adjustment mechanism. The
adjustment merh~nicm enables control of the position of
the reservoir, and selection of the desired thickness of
coating material to be applied. The ad~ustment
mechAnism may be manually controlled by an operator, or
alternatively, the desired settings can be automatically
adjusted using the controller.
Upon exiting the application system, the conveyor
moves the coated cylindrical item into communication
with the curing sy~tem. The curing system includes
either or both a heating oven and a drying chamber. A
heating oven may be nece~F-ry to cure the material by
increased temperature, for example. A drying chamber
may be used to air dry the coating material. The drying
chamber of the present invention includes a ventilation
system which provides ambient air to the chamber, and an
exhaust system which is used to A~-h~rge air and fumes
from the chamber. The ventilation system directs drying
2~621 ~2
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air across the surfaces of the cylindrical items exiting
the application system. The fan of the exhaust system
pulls the drying air through the chamber. During
operation of the exhaust fan, a negative pressure area
is created adjacent the application system to remove
interfering fumes from the application system. The
items are quickly dried by properly maintaining and
controlling air flow over the cylindrical items and
through the drying chamber. Additionally, necessary
environmental requirements are also ~atisfied by
controlling the air exiting the drying chamber using the
exhaust system.
As the cylindrical items are cured and approach the
curing system exit, they are removed from their pin
assembly positions on the transport system conveyor by
an inclined plate or ski similar to that used in the
loading system. The ski is positioned at the exit of
the curing system, and is also provided with a spring
biased safety interlock, in the event a cylindrical item
is not properly removed from the tran~port system or
loaded to the take-away system. The safety interlock
stops movement of the conveyors of the various systems
to prevent damage to the conveyors and the apparatus.
From exiting the curing system, the completed
cylindrical items ~re then tran~ferred to the take-away
system for removal to a still further or final
processing station. The take-away system may be a
gravity feed chute to a eeparate container, or a
separate conveyor system for automatic removal of the
items to their next or final ~OCe5 station.
Other features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following
detailed description of preferred embodiments made with
2 0 ~ Z
reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a
part of the specification.
Brief Description of th- ~ra~inq~
Figures lA, lB, and lC illustrate schematic partial
perspective views of an apparatus for applying material
to the external diameters of cylindrical items of
manufacture in accordance with the present invention;
Figures 2A and 2B are schematic partial front views
of portions of the apparatus illustrated in Figures lA-
lC;
Figures 3A and 3B are schematic partial top views
of the apparatus illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B,
respectively;
Figures 4A and 4B are schematic partial front views
of the application system and adjustment mechanism of
the apparatus illustrated in Figure 2B; and
Figure 5 is a 6chematic partial, cross-sectional
view of the application system taken along the line 5-5
of Figure 2B.
~ç~il-d D-scriDtion of t~- Pr-f-rr-d ~r~ -nt
Figures lA, lB and lC illustrate an apparatus 10
for applying material N to the external diameters of
cylindrical items C having at least one open end E.
The apparatus, generally referred to at reference
numeral 10, includes a frame 12 supporting a part supply
system 14 and ~ transport sy6tem 16. Also provided are
an application system 18, a curing system 20 for curing
the material M applied to the cylindrical items C, a
take-away system 22 for removing the completed
cylindrical items, and a controller 24 for co,.~olling
position and movement of the cylindrical item~ through
~0621 52
the apparatus 10 at desired locations and specified
speeds. The frame 12 comprises metal support members 13
for supporting and defining the transport, application
and curing systems 16, 18, 20, respectively.
It should be understood that the embodiment of the
apparatus 10 illustrated includes two application
systems 18, 18' and two curing systems 20, 20'. In the
first application system 18 a primer material is applied
to the items. The items then proceed to a first curing
system 20, and exit to a second application system 18',
where a secondary and any finish material is applied to
the items. The items then proceed to a 6econd curing
system 20', before exiting to the take-away 6ystem 22.
Single application and curing 6y6tems may be used, or
multiple combinations of application and curing sy6tems
may be used to complete manufacture of the desired
cylindrical items. As the first and 6econd application
systems 18, 18' and the first and second curing systems
20, 20' are substantially similar, each of the second
systems 18', 20' will be referred with a prime
designation, and only the differences between the first
and ~econ~ 6yctems will be ~1;FC~1S~e~ in further detail.
The transport, application and curing systems 16,
18, 20 are supported on the frame 12 enclosed within
clear walls and hinged covers 26, which are also
supported on the frame 12. The use of clear walls and
coverC permits the operator to view the apparatus 10
during operation, while preventing exposure to the
apparatuc' moving parts, or fumes from material
application. The walls and covers 26 are manufactured
of a clear ~ynthetic resin material, for example
Tempered Glas~.
Cover or door interlock switches 28 are positioned
adjacent each hinged cover 26, and are electrically
2~621~
interconnected to the controller 24. In the event the
covers 26 are manually opened during operation of the
apparatus 10, the interlock switches 28 operate to halt
operation. Such safety interlocks ensure that the
operator cannot access the apparatus during operation.
A preferred part supply system 14 of the present
invention is illustrated in Figure lC, in the form of a
conventional vibratory feed system 30. As shown in
Figure lC, the feed system is ~p~G~ed on a platform 31
adjacent the frame 12 of the apparatus 10. Cylindrical
items C are supplied to a loading container 32 of the
feed system 30, and moved by gravity via a chute 33 to
a central container 34. By vibration of an inclined
feeder 35, cylindrical items C are axially aligned for
movement onto a loading eystem 36 of the part supply
system 14.
The loading system 36 of the present invention is
illustrated in Figures 2B and 3B, and provides the
cylindrical items C to the tranQport system 16. As
~hown in Figure 2B, the loading system 36 includes a
main body 37 which i~ ~U~,UUL ~ed on the apparatus frame
12. The main body 37 supports a conventional continuous
v-block ~G..veyor system 38 which transports the
cylindrical item~ to the tran~port sy~tem 16. The
co..veyor system 38 includes a continllolls chain 39 having
v-~hAp-~ blocks 40 for Du~G~ing the items C. The v-
blocks 40 are secured to the chain 39 which engages
fir~t and ~e-~,.d sprockets 43, 44 which are rotated by
a drive shaft 46 Furported on flange bearings 48. The
shaft and ~prockets are driven by a main drive mech~ni~m
50 which operates the CO.~v~Or~ of both the loading
sy~tem 36 and the transport sy~tem 16.
In the embodiment illustrated, the main drive
me~h~n;~m 50 include~ a conventional gear motor S1. The
2062~2
__r
drive shaft 46 and sprockets 43, 44 are interconnected
with the main drive mechanism S0 by a series of chain
drives as shown schematically in Figures 2A and 2B.
operation of a single main drive mechAnism enables
synchronized movement to be maintained as the
cylindrical items move through the apparatus 10.
As illustrated schematically in Figure 2B, the
drive sprocket 43 is interconnected with a transfer
sprocket 52, via a conventional torque limiting drive
sprocket 54 and a transfer chain 56. The transfer
sprocket 52 is interconnected via a drive chain 58 to a
drive sprocket 59 of the transport system 16.
Conventional adjustable take-up sprocket assemblies 60
are positioned along the chains 39, 56 and 58 to
maintain the proper chain tension in the conveyor
cystems 36, 16.
As schematically illustrated in Figures lA-lC and
2A-2B, the transport system 16 for moving the items C
through the apparatus 10 is a continuous chain, pin-type
conveyor system having multiple pin Assembly work
stations 62, as de~cribed herein. Multiple drive and
take-up sprockets 59 are 8u~G ~ed along the frame 12 of
the apparatu~ 10. The sprockets are driven via an
interronnected main chain 63, by a gear motor 51, as
shown in Figure 2A.
From their axially aligned po~itions on the feeder
35 of the feed system 30, the cylindrical items C are
moved into the v-~hape formed by the v ;hApe~ blocks 40
on the 10A~ in7 system conveyor 36. As the v-~hAp~
blocks are moved in a direction toward the application
eyetem 18, the open end E of each cylindrical item
a~GL~ed in a v sh~pe~ block 40 is biased by an
inclined eki member 64 onto a pin aeeembly work ~tation
62, which s~c~s the items on an internal surface.
~62~ `~2
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The fixed position inclined ski member or plate 64 is
positioned along the loading system 36 spaced above the
v-shaped blocks 40. The v-shaped blocks are positioned
at a eelected height relative to the pins, which height
depends on the diameter of the cylindrical items C.
In the event a cylindrical item i8 not properly fed
onto its respective pin assembly 62 by the ski member
64, the loading system 36 also includes a spring biased
æafety interlock 65. The safety interlock 65 is spring
biased into position for normal operating conditions.
In the event the pressure acting upon the ski member 64
exceeds normal operating conditions, the spring of the
safety interlock is biased out of position and movement
of the entire system stops.
As illustrated in Figure 2B, the loading system 36
iS Su~G~ ~ed on the fr~me 12 by an adjustment mechAni~m
66. The adjustment me~h~ni~m enables vertical position
adjustment of the loading system 36 depending on the
size of the items to be provided relative to the pin
assembly work stations 62 of the transport system 16.
In the preferred embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 66
may vary the vertical position of the loading syetem 36.
The ad~ustment mec~nl~m 66 in the illustrated
embodiment includes conventional jacks 67 6~pG~-ing the
main body 37 of the lo~ing system 36 on au~O~L members
13 of the frame 12. Each of the jacks 67 may be
vertically raised or lowered by approximately 3 inches
by a connecting shaft 68 which i~ manually actuated by
a hand wheel 69. Alternatively, the hand wheel 69 may
be substituted for a stepp~r motor intercon~ected with
the controller 24 for automatically adjusting the
vertical position of the loa~ng sy~tem 36. The desired
relative vertical ad~ustment of the loading system 36 is
mea~ured using a pointer 70 and ~c~le 71. The scale 71
2~21 ~
is secured to the support member 13 and the pointer 70
is secured to the main body 37.
Once the cylindrical items C are engaged on the pin
assembly work stations 62 of the transport system 16,
they are moved into the application system 18 for
application of the coating material M. An air curtain
device 72 is provided in the embodiment of the invention
illustrated in Figure lC. The air curtain device 72
surrounds an opening 73 in the clear wall 26 adjacent
the application system 18. The air curtain device 72 is
interconnected with the curing system 20, and provides
a curtain of air across the opening 73 to reduce fume
migration from the material past the walls and covers 26
enclosing the application and curing systems 18, 20.
The cylindrical items are moved through the air
curtain device 72 into the application system 18 on the
pin assembly work stations 62 of the transport system
16, as illustrated in Figure 5. The illustrated pin
assembly work stations 62 of the present invention
include A pin 76. One end 77 of the pin 76 is engaged
through an opening in a hollow link 78 of the main chain
63. Once the one end 77 of the pin is engaged through
the hollow link 78, a retAin~ng ring 80 is engaged
within a ~oove (not illustrated) formed in the one end
of the pin 76. The groove and retaining ring 80 resist
removal of the pin from the main chain 63 during
operation Or the apparatus 10. In the event it is
necessary to replace a pin 76 due to wear or other
damage, the pin may be readily removed ~rom the link 78
and replaced, once the retaining ring is removed.
The pin asg~hly work ~tation~ 62 and main chain 63
_re moved through the Ioading ~y~tem 36 _nd transport
sygtem 16 supported between upper and lower chain guides
79, 81, as shown in Figure 5. -The one end 77 of the pin
A
~ .
206?J~L5~
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76 is also supported within an opening 82 in a pin
stabilizer bar 84. Additionally, an upper ski assembly
86, supported adjacent the upper chain guide 79, engages
the pin 76 during movement through the application
system 18 to insure alignment of the cylindrical item
with the coating rolls.
The upper ski assembly 86 preventC movement of the
cylindrical item C out of engagement with the pin 76
during the application of material. The ski assembly 86
is supported on a mounting bracket 87, which has an
inner ski 88 and an outer ski 89 attached thereto.
Attached to each of the skis 88, 89 i8 a wear ctrip 90
of a polymer compoQite material for engagement with the
pin 76 as shown in Figure S. A lower ski assembly 92 is
also provided for ~upporting the pins 76 on their return
to the loading system 36 for additional items. The
lower ski assembly 92 includes a lower chain guide 93
for supporting the main chain 63, and a lower ski wear
strip 94 for ~u~yo~Ling the pin 76.
The application system 18 of the apparatus of the
present invention is illustrated in Figures 2A-2B and
3A-3B, and more particularly in Figures 4A-4B and 5.
The application system 18 of the preferred embodiment of
Figures 2A-2B includes first and ^~con~ coating stations
96, 97, each having a driving system 98 and a reservoir
system 99. In the alternate preferred embodiment of
Figures lA-lC, two application systems 18, 181 are
shown, with each system including a single coating
station 96, driving ~ystem 98 and reservoir ~ystem 99.
A~ the single station and systems of the application
systems 18, 181 of Figures lA-lC are a 6ubstantially
similar but single embodiment of the dual stations and
~ystems shown in Figures 2A-S, all further discussion
2 0 ~
_
with respect to the application system components shall
primarily refer to Figures 2A-5.
The reservoir system 99 includes a tank 120
supported on a mounting plate 122. The mounting plate
122 is supported by an adjustment mechanism 124 similar
to that described above with respect to adjustment of
the loading system 36. Adjustment of the illustrated
embodiment of the application system 18 ensures that the
external diameters of the items C are provided with the
desired thickness of material M, by positioning the tank
120 to engage the rolls with the desired level of
material. During operation of the application system
18, the two tanks 120 contain the same material M, as
may be desired. Additionally, the two additional tanks
1201 in the cecond application system 181 may also
contain the same or different material M from each other
and from the system 18, as may be desired. The
adjustment mech~ism 124 enables manual or automatic
vertical position ad~ustment of the application system
18 by the controller dep-n~i~g on the size of the items
to be coated and the material being applied.
In the preferred embodiment, the adjustment
mech~ism 124 varies the vertical po~ition of the
application system 18. Like the lo~ng system
adjustment mechani6m 66, the ad~ustment mechanism 124
illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B includes conventional
jacks 126 ~u~poLLing the mounting plate 122 of the
application ~ystem 18 on ~ pport members 13 of the frame
12. Each of the jacks 126 is vertically raised or
lowe~ed by a co~.~.e_ting shaft 128 which is automatically
actuated by a stepper motor 130 ecured to the frame 12.
Alternatively, a manually actuated hand wheel may be
~ubstituted for the ~tepper motor. The desired relative
vertical ad~ustment of the application system 18 is
2 0 ~ 2
measured using a pointer 132 and scale 133. The scale
133 is secured to the support member 13 and the pointer
70 i6 secured to the mounting plate 122.
The driving systems 98 have a single drive
mechanism 100, which operates both coating stations 96,
97. Each of the coating ~tations 96, 97 includes doctor
rolls 102, 103 and coating rolls 104, 105, which are
horizontally and axially spaced, and sequentially engage
the external diameter of the cylindrical items C to
apply material M as the items are moved on the pin
assembly work stations 62.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the
drive mechani~m 100 includes a gear motor 101. The gear
motor drives first and second drive shaft pulleys 106,
107 interconnected by belts 108, and a drive ~haft 110.
The drive shaft is mounted within pillow block bearings
112 secured to the mounting plate 122. A third drive
shaft pulley 114 driven by the drive shaft 110 is
interconnected by belts 109 to a doctor roll drive
pulley 116 at each of the coating stations 96, 97. Each
of the doctor roll drive pulleys 116 is Su~G~ Led on a
doctor roll drive shaft 118.
Belts 135 interconnect each of the doctor roll
drive pulleys 116 with a ~econd doctor roll pulley 136,
and a coating roll drive pulley 138. The cecon~ doctor
roll pulleys 136 are supported on doctor roll shafts
140. Each of the doctor roll drive shafts 118 and
shafts 140 extend through openings 119 in the tanks 120.
The doctor roll drive shafts 118 and shafts 140 are
~upported for rotation in bearing blocks 134 positioned
on the outside ~urfaces of the tanks 120.
The first doctor roll 102 i~ secured on the doctor
roll drive shaft 118, and the 6econ~ doctor roll 103 is
secured on the doctor roll shaft 140. As illu~trated in
2~2~2
_
Figure S, the metal surfaces 152 of the doctor rolls
102, 103 engage material within the tank 120 during
rotation of the doctor rolls driven by drive mechAni~m
100. Engagement of the doctor rolls with the material
continuously moves the material during operation of the
application system 18.
The coating roll drive pulley 138 i8 supported on
a coating roll drive shaft 142, which extends through
the tank 120. The coating roll drive shaft 142
additionally supports first and second pivot arms 144,
145. As shown in Figure 4B, each of the pivot arms 144,
145 is positioned at an angle with respect to the
coating roll drive shaft 142. The pivot arms 144, 145
s~o~L coating roll shaft~ 146, 147, which are located
above the doctor roll drive shaft 118 and doctor roll
shaft 140, respectively. The coating roll shafts 146,
147 each support a coating roll pulley 148, 149. The
coating roll pulleys 148, 149 and roll shafts 146, 147
are driven by belts 150 interconnected with the coating
roll drive pulley 138.
The first coating roll 104 is ~ecured on the
coating roll shaft 146, and the ~QCO~ coating roll 105
is ~le_~Lcd on the coating roll shaft 147. As
illustrated in Figure 5, the rubber composite ~urfaces
154 of the coating rolls 104, lOS engage the metal
surf~ces 152 of the doctor rolls 102, 103, .~E_Lively,
euch that the material M on the doctor roll6 is
transferred to the coating rolls. The surfaces 154 of
the coating rolls 104, 105 having the material M then
engage the external surfaces of the cylindrical items C
to apply the material M. It is understood that the
surfaces 152, 154 of the coating and doctor rolls may be
of any material or configuration, ~uch as y~OO~cd or
16
2~6?j1;
rough, which will hold the material to be applied to the
items in the desired thickness.
Since the amount of material to be applied to the
items C is primarily determined by the length of
engagement between the cylindrical items C and the
coating rolls 104, 105, the speed of the transport
system 16 and the coating rolls 104, 105 of the driving
systems 96, 97, may be varied as necessary. The speed
of the main drive mechanism 50 of the transport system
16 may be varied between 10 feet per minute and 40 feet
per minute. By varying the speed of the transport
system, the speed of the items at the pin assembly work
stations 62 may be increased or decreased a8 necess~ry.
Additionally, the speed may be increased manually, using
a key pad control 25, or, once established, may be
automatically controlled by the controller 24 based on
the size of the cylindrical item C.
The speed of the application system drive mec~nism
100 may also be varied between 9 rpm and 45 rpm. By
varying the speed of the application system 18, the
speed at which material i~ applied to the items C may be
increased or decreased as necessAry. The application
system 18 speed may be increased manually, using the key
pad controls 25, or, once established, may be
automatically cG~ olled by the col.L~oller 24. The
direction of operation of the driving systems 98, and
thus the coating rolls 104, 105, may also be varied to
obtain the desired engagement time between the rolls and
the cylindrical items.
Upon exiting the application system 18 on the pin
as~Qmbly work station~ 62, the cylindrical items having
material M applied to the ex*ernal surface, are moved
into the curing system 20. In the illustrated
embodiment, the first or primer application Qystem 18
20~2~2
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applies primer materials, and the items are then moved
to a first or primer curing system 20. Upon exiting the
primer curing system 20 the items are moved via the
transport system 16 to a ~econd or finish application
system 18'. From the finish application system 18', the
items are moved to a second or finish curing system 20'.
As set forth above, a single application and curing
system or multiple application and curing systems may be
combined, depending on the manufacturing process
reguired. As the features and operation of the first or
primer curing system 20 and second application system
18' are discussed in co~ection with the first
application system 18 and ~econ~ curing system 20', no
further ~ cussion of these 6ystems 20, 18' ic required.
The second or finish curing system 20' of the
preferred embodiment of the present invention is
illustrated in Figures lA-lB and 2A-2B. The illustrated
curing system 20' includes a drying chamber 160 which
air dries the material M. The drying chamber 160
includes a ventilation system 162 which provides ambient
air into the chamber 160, and an exhaust 6ystem 164
which is used to discharge air And material fumes from
the chamber. As shown in Figures lA and lB, the drying
chambers 160 are formed by the support members 13 of the
frame 12, enclosed by Tempered Glass walls and covers
26.
The tra~ G.~ system 16 moves the pin assembly work
stations 62 through the drying chamber 160 via the main
chain 63, driven by a main drive ~procket 165
intel o..~ Led with the gear motor Sl of the main drive
mechan~m 50. The chain 63 i6 engaged over corner
sprockets 166, 167, 168 and 169 mounted within the
chamber 160 on vertical support members 13A, 13B of the
frame 12. An ad~ustable center sprocket 170 is mounted
h {.~
on a support member 13C, located intermediate the
vertical support members 13A, 13B. The center sprocket
170 includes a manual threaded slide assembly 172 for
vertically moving the center axis of the sprocket 170 to
take up slack within the main chain 63 as may be
necessary.
The ventilation cystem 162 introduces ambient air
into the drying chamber 160 via a fan assembly 174
located behind the drying chamber 160. Internal air
ducts 176 are additionally provided within the chamber
160 for directing drying air across the coated surfaces
of the cylindrical items.
The exhaust system 164 removes air and fumes from
the drying chamber 160 via a fan assembly 178. The fan
assembly of the exhaust system 164 is located on the top
of the drying chamber 160 and pulls the exiting air in
an upward direction through the chamber. During
operation of the exhaust fan assembly 178, a negative
pressure area is created adjacent the associated
application system 18' to remove interfering fumes from
the application system 18' via the exhaust system 164.
By maintaining and controlling operation of the
ventilation system fan assembly 174 and the exhaust
system fan assembly 178, the air flow through the drying
chamber and over the cylindrical items may be controlled
to dry the items at the desired rate.
CG,IL~ol of the exhaust system 164 additionally
enables ~G..~Lol of any environmental exhaust
reguirements by establishing the rate of exhaust exiting
the drying chamber using the fan assembly 178. To
ensure that the proper exhaust requirements are
maintained, an air flow safety ~e~-or 180 is provided in
connection with the fan assembly 178. The air flow
FQnror 180 is electrically interconnected between the
2~ ~21~
fan assembly 178 and the controller 24. In the event
the operation of the fan assembly 178 is less than that
necessary to maintain environmental exhaust
requirements, operation of the apparatus 10 shuts off.
By interconnecting satisfactory operation of the exhaust
fan assembly 178 with operation of the apparatus 10, no
build up of exhaust fumes is permitted within the
apparatus. Manual operation of the fan assembly 178 is
also provided via the key pad controls 25.
Once the cylindrical items are cured within the
drying chamber 160 they are removed from their pin
assembly work stations 62 on the trans~oL~ system 16 by
an inclined plate or ski member 182 ~imilar to the ski
member 64 used in the loading system 36. As illustrated
in Figure lA, the ski member 182 is positioned at the
exit 184 of the curing system 20'. The ski member 182
i8 mounted on the vertical &~0~ ~ member 13A of the
frame 12. The ski member 182 is mounted above the exit
184 on one side of the main chain 63 of the transport
system 16. As the cylindrical items C are moved
downwardly on pin assembly work ~tations 62, they engage
the inclined ~ki member 182, and are Aisengaged from the
pins 76 into engagement with the take-away system 22.
In the event a cylindrical item C is not properly
removed from the assembly 76 by the ski member 182, a
spring biased safety interlock 186 i~ provided to stop
operation of the trAn~port system 16. Like the safety
interlock of the loading system 36, the safety interlock
186 is ~pring biased into position for norm~l operating
conditions. In the event the pres~ure acting upon the
ski member 186 ~cee~s normal operating conditions, the
spring of the cafety interlock is biased out of position
And movement of the trall~pG~ system 16 stops. The
~?~i2
safety interlock stops movement of the entire apparatus
10 to prevent the possibility of any damage.
Upon exiting the drying chamber 160 via exit 184,
the cured cylindrical items C are deposited to the ta~e-
away system 22. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure
lA, the take-away ~ystem 22 includes an exit ramp 188,
by which the items are gravity fed to a take-away
container 190. The take-away container 190 may be used
to transfer the items to a etill further or final
processing station. Alternatively, the items may be
provided to a next or final process station via a
conveyor system.
Accordingly, an apparatus for applying material to
cylindrical items C has been described above which may
be manually or automatically controlled. In the
illustrated embodiment, the operating parameter~, such
as speeds and heights, of the part supply system 14,
transport system 16, application systems 18, 18' and
curing systems 20, 20', are ~,GyLammed into the
controller 24. The desired operating parameters for the
systems are determined experimentally depen~ing on the
size of the cylindrical item C and the material M to be
applied. Once the desired parameters are established,
they are entered into the controller 24 for the various
items and materials to be applied. Once the parameters
are programmed into the controller 24, the cystems of
the apparatus 10 may be readily and automatically
changed to apply the desired material to the desired
items by entering the name of the desired cylindrical
items and materials to be manufaoLu~ed into the
~G.lL~oller 24 using the key pad controls 25. Upon
receiving instructions conserning the items and
materials to be manufa~,ed, the cGn-~oller then
ad~usts the n cess~ry operating settings of the various
2~21~
systems to produce the desired result. The controller
24 of the preferred embodiment is a conventional digital
computer electrically interconnected with the power
~upplies and controls of the systems of the apparatus
10. As shown in Figures lB and lC, the controller
interface includes a key pad control 25 for use by the
operator of the apparatus 10.
The preferred form of the apparatus have been
described above. However, with the present disclosure
in mind it is believed that obvious alterations to the
preferred embodiment, to achieve comparable features and
advantages in other apparatus, will become apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art.
